Reverse Redistribution in ²⁰¹TI Myocardial Imaging Using Dipyridamole Infusion Method Combined with Low Level Exercise

Abstract

To make clear the cause of the reverse redistribution phenomenon (RR) in thallium-201 myocardial imaging using dipyridamole infusion method combined with low level exercise (DE-method), we investigated 73 patients (219 segments) including 23 cases with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and 50 cases with non-revascularization.
RR was detected at the 10 segments in 55 post-CABG segments (18.2%), whereas only 4 RR segments were detected in 150 non-revascularized segments (2.7%) .
All of RR segments in the post-CABG group had a partial myocardial damage. In each case with RR, washout rate of the RR segment showed higher value than those of non-RR segments.
Therefore, RR was thought to be seen in the area with a partial myocardial damage and with sufficient coronary flow by the revascularization.